Almost Home

A group of Sikeri played together in the field behind the exam facility. Each one had a collar with a number on it. One Sikeri, in particular, was two shades of light purple. Her collar had a tag with the number 344 stamped into it. She was playing tag with a few other Sikeri. They chased each other, chirping happily. A few would tumble from time to time as they would tackle each other.

A Katragoon that worked in the exam facility walked out to the field clipboard in hand. Someone was possibly getting an owner! It had been a few days since a Sikeri had been chosen. A few of the Sikeri rushed the Katragoon to see if they were getting chosen today. The purple Sikeri hesitated before jogging over. She dreamed of getting a home, but there were a few Sikeri here that she didn't want to leave yet. The Katragoon checked the tags on the collars as she looked for one Sikeri in particular. She paused once she got to the purple Sikeri. "Ah! There you are! Come with me, sweetie. You'll be getting a new home today," she said smiling down at the Sikeri.

The Sikeri was taken aback. She blinked a few times before following the retreating Katragoon. Halfway to the door, she glanced back at the other Sikeri. A few of them bounced excitedly for her. She smiled and turned back to the building. The Katragoon waited for her at the door holding it open.

The Katragoon followed the Sikeri into the empty room. The Sikeri glanced around. She sniffed and tilted her head. Then, she looked back at the Katragoon confused. "You will wait here," the Katragoon told the Sikeri as she walked past to a door on the other side of the room. The Sikeri blinked still confused. She sat down where she stood as the Katragoon walked out into a hallway.

A little while later, the Katragoon returned, but she wasn't alone. There was another Katragoon and Sikeri with her. The Sikeri's heart started to pound. This was it. This Katragoon was here to take her home with them. She sat there paralyzed. Was she supposed to do something? The Katragoon never told her if she was supposed to do anything. The worker said something to the other Katragoon. The Katragoon nodded and then started walking over to her. The Sikeri's heart started racing now. What was she supposed to do now? The Katragoon sat down in front of her and started humming. The Sikeri watched her. The humming sounded beautiful. Then the Katragoon held out her hand. "Will you come with me?" she asked.

The Sikeri blinked in surprised. She did not know what to expect but this was not it. Before she could respond though there was a commotion behind the Katragoon. The Katragoon turned to make her way back to the other door. The Sikeri turned but came face to face with the closed door behind her. She worked at the door handle trying to turn it so she could get back outside. After a few tries, she was able to get the door open and run out.

The Sikeri's eyes watered as she made her way back to the other Sikeri. They all stopped what they were doing and watched her. A few ran up to meet her. They wanted to know what happened that she came back. Slowly the other Sikeri made their ways over to find out what happened. The purple Sikeri's eyes started to water more when the door to the exam facility banged closed. All the Sikeri turned to see the worker walking towards them. She walked up to the Sikeri and all the other Sikeri slowly started walking away. The Katragoon sat down and reached out to pet the purple Sikeri. "I'm sorry," she said in a soothing tone. "You won't be going to a new home today." The Sikeri looked up at the Katragoon with wide eyes. She wasn't leaving? "I know. But you can at least still play with your friends here." The Katragoon stroked her a few more times before standing up. "Well, I have paperwork I need to fill out now. I'll come back and check on you tomorrow." She turned and walked back to the building. The Sikeri stared. She couldn't move. Even when her friends came over to get her to play tag with them again all she could do was shake her head. It couldn't be over. That Katragoon with the pretty voice would come back for her. Wouldn't she?